Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Will there be promotional images of what the 4 Founder Editions items will look like in the e-mail going out Monday? Did the original contest for a trip to Intellivision HQ get dropped? 

Will this system be getting a lot of remastered titles? I like the idea of Night Stalker being remastered. I used to love that game. I think it would be great to other classic IntelliVision titles remastered. Sadly I guess Demon Attack/Atlantis is out of the question?

How about the original games? Will we be able to play the original versions of Intellivision games? I'm guessing it will depend on licensing (no imagic games?)?

Why is there a "Founders Edition"?  Shouldn't those be exclusive to the "founders" and make them super rare?

6 minutes ago, fiudr said:

Will this system be getting a lot of remastered titles? I like the idea of Night Stalker being remastered. I used to love that game. I think it would be great to other classic IntelliVision titles remastered. Sadly I guess Demon Attack/Atlantis is out of the question?

 

How about the original games? Will we be able to play the original versions of Intellivision games? I'm guessing it will depend on licensing (no imagic games?)?

 

Demon attack and Atlantis are on the list  to be made .  Original intellivision  games tommy said 2021 as they dont want reviewers  reviewing those old  games  and prob ripping them apart especially silly so early.on in the launch period.  But the original games will be sold in packs of games for like $5 or less  like sports pack  action pack and so on. 

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Once the group (or a single player in single player mode) reaches a certain score... the transport floor will appear somewhere on the level... you just need to get to it.  We'll be placing them near the spider for sure!

 

The Spider can NOT be killed... and if you get too close he will wrap you up and stun you... leaving you helpless and attackable by enemies.  A lot of times you don't even realize you're near a spider because of the shadows.  They you see him right next to you and it's like AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   SPIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It's super cool.

 

 

I've watched the video a few times and as I already commented on the other thread, this looks amazing and definitely a natural progression of the game to today's standard.  The title screen is a knock out and the game-play to my eye resembled Frenzy, BerZerk and Robotron all wrapped up in one.  High adrenaline rush with the sounds to keep up the intensity.  Colors and graphics are onimous and give a great atmosphere to the game.  I didn't imagine it to play like this from the single pics, especially the flowing blob worms.  Intensity is high and I can see how this makes sense in a group play.  Someone complained that it was too busy, well yes it is if you're trying to watch all the action on the screen.  I picked 1 player and followed that player through thier actions and it made the game more enjoyable.  

If this is what we can expect out of the Amico titles, this will definitely define the missing niche of home consoles... Fun, exciting games we ALL can play.

Also noticed the Robots dropping in sounds a lot like a rework of the level change from Treasure of Tarmin?  If it is, nice touch 

Keep it coming.... I'm definitely in for an FE when we can sign up!

I'm glad to hear the woodgrain finish model will be available not only to founders, but as a limited edition later on their site. It would be a shame if it was so exclusive that nobody could buy one at launch. That's one thing I dislike about Kickstarter board games - so many exclusives that you can't get later. I think the founder's is a nice offering now while still making the woodgrain available later.

52 minutes ago, Nolagamer said:

Demon attack and Atlantis are on the list  to be made .  Original intellivision  games tommy said 2021 as they dont want reviewers  reviewing those old  games  and prob ripping them apart especially silly so early.on in the launch period.  But the original games will be sold in packs of games for like $5 or less  like sports pack  action pack and so on. 

This sounds terrific! Demon Attack and Atlantis? Original game packs? Sign me up!

24 minutes ago, fiudr said:

This sounds terrific! Demon Attack and Atlantis? Original game packs? Sign me up!

They have the rights to remake or re-imagine all the Imagic titles but I'm not sure they've said anything about selling the old imagic games specifically. 

1 hour ago, IntelliMission said:

Tommy has made another super long interview in Youtube, and this time the person interviewing him is quite different from the ones we're used to.

 

I haven't finished yet and it looks like it was an interesting conversation, but for now the things that stood out the most were:

 

- A potential question and debate about the possibility of M rated games for the Amico (I still haven't reached that part).

- The accidental "relaxing" effect of the interviewer's voice, much higher than Tommy's and saying "yes", "oh" and "umm" very often

- The users activeaction and Resvrgram warning Tommy on the chat about the console about to "fail because of the weird controller" that "nobody wants" because "you can rely solely on focus testing" (you can read them about the 50 minute mark )

 

 

What do you think, Tommy? I am also not totally sold on the controller, but I'm not sure I agree with the reasons they mention...

The chat comment mentions the disc, assuming they prefer something familiar to modern gamers .  The disc is functionally similar to a thumbstick but more accurate and comfortable.  An 8-way d-pad might help with 8-way games, but Amico games will likely not be programmed like that.  What are your concerns. 

38 minutes ago, fiudr said:

I'm glad to hear the woodgrain finish model will be available not only to founders, but as a limited edition later on their site. It would be a shame if it was so exclusive that nobody could buy one at launch. That's one thing I dislike about Kickstarter board games - so many exclusives that you can't get later. I think the founder's is a nice offering now while still making the woodgrain available later.

 

I agree.  We wanted to make the Founders Edition SUPER limited and have SUPER value.

But for folks wanting to wait and still get one... it's totally fine.

I will say this though... If you definitely want the Vintage Woodgrain you may as well sign up for the Founders Edition as your $100 can be refunded at any time and the Founders Edition has a TON more value ($50 game certificate, pin, patch, signed poster, soundtracks, etc.) that you could always change your mind at any time... but at least you lock in the super deal.

If a normal "Limited Edition" Vintage Woodgrain sells for $279, but you're getting the Founders Edition for $299... it's a huge saving difference.

Not trying to hard sell you... just want to make sure you're aware of all the extra value that is planned with the Founders Edition and that the deposit is 100% refundable at any time.

7 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

as your $100 can be refunded at

I assume you’ll be ignoring the PayPal 60 day refund policy and issuing out refunds as requested after the 60 days?

2 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Tommy has made another super long interview in Youtube, and this time the person interviewing him is quite different from the ones we're used to.

 

I haven't finished yet and it looks like it was an interesting conversation, but for now the things that stood out the most were:

 

- A potential question and debate about the possibility of M rated games for the Amico (I still haven't reached that part).

- The accidental "relaxing" effect of the interviewer's voice, much higher than Tommy's and saying "yes", "oh" and "umm" very often

- The users activeaction and Resvrgram warning Tommy on the chat about the console about to "fail because of the weird controller" that "nobody wants" because "you can rely solely on focus testing" (you can read them about the 50 minute mark )

 

 

What do you think, Tommy? I am also not totally sold on the controller, but I'm not sure I agree with the reasons they mention...

Yeah... she was great.  Had fun debating the violence thing.

Very cool when 2 people can have a respectful conversation with opposing views.

If people aren't sold on the controller... then they can go ahead and hook up any bluetooth controller.  Won't work with 95% of the games... but it is possible to hook it up.

Like I said in the interview.  We put 4 controllers on a table.  Xbox, PS, Switch & Amico.  And ask little kids, moms, casual players, grandparents which one they would pick to play a game on.

100% of the time (and I mean 100%!!!!) they ALWAYS pick Amico.  They like the screen, they like that it's not intimidating, they like that it doesn't have "sticks", they think it looks super cool, the like the way it feels in their hands, etc., etc., etc..

So yes... I'm feeling pretty confident about the direction we've chosen.  It's pretty clear that activeaction is a younger more immature person (just from his spelling and punctuation) and has zero knowledge about "what people want".  He can hate them all he wants.  I would recommend he probably shouldn't buy the system then.


 

2 hours ago, nysavant said:

Will European fans be able to reserve a founders edition console next week as well, or is just for US buyers? 

Yes.  Worldwide.

Shipping and import taxes would be additional.

2 hours ago, fiudr said:

Quick question - sorry if this has been asked before, but is the wood grain finish on the console and controllers just stickers (that is likely to wear or peel over time), or some kind of actual finish that will be permanent? I was disappointed that the Retron77 just had woograin stickers for the console and joysticks. I don't mind if it's not real wood, as long as it's a permanent finish and not stickers.

 

 

Great question.

Definitely NOT stickers!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 hours ago, ColdCoffee said:

Will there be promotional images of what the 4 Founder Editions items will look like in the e-mail going out Monday? Did the original contest for a trip to Intellivision HQ get dropped? 

HQ drawing will be for the 10 people who find Golden Tickets in their console!  Just like Willy Wonka!

Yep!  There are renders of everything.  Oh look!  Here comes a patch and pin now!

😍

2 hours ago, fiudr said:

Will this system be getting a lot of remastered titles? I like the idea of Night Stalker being remastered. I used to love that game. I think it would be great to other classic IntelliVision titles remastered. Sadly I guess Demon Attack/Atlantis is out of the question?

 

How about the original games? Will we be able to play the original versions of Intellivision games? I'm guessing it will depend on licensing (no imagic games?)?

 

Yes.  Lots of remasters.

1 hour ago, CPUWIZ said:

Why is there a "Founders Edition"?  Shouldn't those be exclusive to the "founders" and make them super rare?

2600 on the planet is super rare.  Especially when there will be millions made eventually.

But the short answer is...

Because everyone asked us and we wanted to do something super special for all the super fans and followers.

I’m ready to use the special ticket I got with my Amico shirt 😁

11 minutes ago, ColecoJoe said:

I assume you’ll be ignoring the PayPal 60 day refund policy and issuing out refunds as requested after the 60 days?

 

 

Absolutely!  Refunds given at any time.

Just now, MarioMan88 said:

I’m ready to use the special ticket I got with my Amico shirt 😁

We'll be starting that program in February.

Controllers: I wish the haters would get one very important thing: This isn't the same controller release 40 years ago. Wait until you try it, with the games it was designed to work with, before judging it. Having reservations about it is ok of course and this is true both ways so if someone has never tried it, they should not necessarily love it to death either but it looked to me it seemed to control the characters well enough.  

6 minutes ago, Loafer said:

Controllers: I wish the haters would get one very important thing: This isn't the same controller release 40 years ago. Wait until you try it, with the games it was designed to work with, before judging it. Having reservations about it is ok of course and this is true both ways so if someone has never tried it, they should not necessarily love it to death either but it looked to me it seemed to control the characters well enough.  

Could not agree more! I had reservations buying the OG Xbox at launch(I wondered if it would suffer from blue screen of death like MS software) I immensely enjoyed Halo, DOA 3, Project Gotham Racing and more.

I questioned Nintendo’s direction on the Wii while I stood in line during a cold rain at Circuit City. I thought the system looked too “gimmicky”. Loved the controller after serious questions before launch, so much we still play the Wii today!

I have questions and concerns about the Amico and its controllers. Is that stopping me from trying to get a Founders Edition? No! Having an open mind cost nothing and if my family and I end up not liking it as much as I hope we do, I’ll still be glad I added it to my collection. Heck, I’d probably buy an Atari VCS if they put one on a physical shelf in a real store.

About the control in Night Stalker (pardon if this has already been addressed) - I see rays of color extending from the players in directions. Can I assume this is how players aim (spinning the disc) while pressing the disc is movement?

3 hours ago, fiudr said:

Will this system be getting a lot of remastered titles? I like the idea of Night Stalker being remastered. I used to love that game. I think it would be great to other classic IntelliVision titles remastered. Sadly I guess Demon Attack/Atlantis is out of the question?

 

How about the original games? Will we be able to play the original versions of Intellivision games? I'm guessing it will depend on licensing (no imagic games?)?

 

Intellivision has the licensing for any Imagic game they want 

I don't think activeaction is a hater, I think he's just a bit immature to say "your console will fail just like the first Intellivision!" in that chat. He could have used other words.

The other user, Resvrgam, was not a hater either. He seemed quite interested in the machine.

However, their arguments seem a bit poor:

1) You can't rely solely on focus testing because John Ford said that, if he had listened to people, he would have made faster horses instead of cars? So what is the alternative to that? And can we use that mentality after so many decades? Well, we can't, because Henry Ford never said that, it was a misquote from a 1999 book.

2) The Intellivision was outsold by Atari 10 to 1 because people didn't like the controller? Again, I wonder where are the surveys that prove this. Of course, most of you know more about those console wars and hopefully can help clarify this: What was the main reason why Atari won by that huge margin?

I will continue with the interview, looking forward for that M-Rated debate.

Tommy this is not that important  of a question but i.just curious. I know that you mentioned upgrades to the touch screen and cpu.  What about gpu and ram? have they seen bumps.? I'm curious if ram prices may have dropped enough to go from 2FB to 4GB or whatever.